Honda CR-V facelift revealed

Honda has revealed a facelifted CR-V overseas. It has undergone a significant mid-life refresh, receiving cosmetic tweaks and a new diesel powertrain. The facelifted CR-V will make its global debut at the Paris motor show later this week.

Four-wheel-drive variants of the fourth-generation CR-V, which has been on sale since 2012 in international markets, will now be offered with a higher-powered 1.6-litre i-DTEC four-cylinder diesel engine from Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology series. The new engine replaces the 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel, which is being phased out.

The new diesel engine produces 158bhp and 35.6kgm. CO2 emissions are claimed to be 11 percent less when the engine is coupled to a six-speed manual transmission. This engine will also now be offered with a new nine-speed automatic transmission in place of the old five-speed automatic. The CO2 emissions for this combination will be 20 percent less than its predecessor. The front-wheel-drive CR-V, available with a six-speed manual transmission, will continue to be offered with the lower-powered 118bhp 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine.

The existing 2.0-litre petrol engine will continue to be offered with either two- or four-wheel drive options and either the manual or automatic five-speed transmission. Official economy and performance figures have yet to be confirmed, however.

The most significant cosmetic tweaks across the range are at the front of the car, which receives new headlamps, front grille, fog lights, skid-plate and bumper. The enhancements at the rear include new LED combination lamps, a refreshed tailgate design and bumper.

The facelifted model along with the front-wheel-drive version of the CR-V powered by the 118bhp diesel motor is expected to reach Indian markets in 2015.